This is a light, fast game that can be used to play large battles with sci-fi grunts and tanks. It has nice rules for unit activation and attack resolution, and does not require lots of tokens on the table. The low score is due to the presentation: there are no examples, not even for the unit creation system; the order of subjects in the book is confusing; there are no pictures or diagrams where they could have been helpful (e.g. to illustrate charge, fire and maneuver, and the scenarios); and a number of typos.

The second edition of FiveCore has upgraded it from a fast-playing modern/sci-fi skirmish game into a great toolbox. The basic mechanics have not changed (thankfully!) but there is a lot more material in this version. The page count has increased from 32 to 93 -- from the addition (and possibly revision) of material from some supplements, as well as new content. For instance, there are stealth rules (from the Tactical Primer), heroes (from Heroes and Horrors) and vehicles (which I presume are from Heavy Metal), and expanded solo rules and campaign rules. There are also lots of ideas listed as "playstyle options" which give it the toolbox feel. Overall, those that want to try this system would do well to get the 2nd edition, as it alone covers the 1st edition and some supplements.

A great tool to add variety to wargames. I play solo often so I find the secondary objectives and sub-plots useful when creating scenarios. I can start with a basic set-up (e.g. attacking a defensive position) and add random elements drawn from this book to complicate things.

A huge amount of 3D rendered figures, including agents, civilians and some soldier-like types. Poses are generally good, not the goofy or artificial poses sometimes found in this kind of product. I only wish the soldiers in the second sheet of figures were not so dark. When I print them, they look like shadows holding assault rifles.

In full disclosure: I have known and interacted with the publisher and I have received a copy for evaluation and review.

This is a set of twelve distinct miniatures in dynamic poses. The illustrations are high quality: excellent colors, shading, proportions, facial expressions. The two largest figures (one of each army) show some pixellation on the screen and a bit of those artifacts are noticeable when printing, if you look up close. The choice of colors and shading also makes these good for printing at reduced scales. The set also includes bases of different sizes for the miniatures, with stone or dried earth textures.

The figures are laid out on four pages, with some repeated copies. Printing three of those pages once and the other one twice yields a total of 47 figures. Of those, 39 make up the two armies mentioned in the product description and the remaining 8 are extras due to the repeated printing. The figures are well-aligned so cutting and folding is simple. The figures are not surrounded by a black border as is the case in some miniature products. This way, they can be cut closer or farther from the figure's outline according to the preferences, patience and skill of the user. However, those who prefer that black border will have the extra work of filling it manually after cutting. Because of the poses of the figures and the way they were laid out on the pages, I do not think it is possible to just cut a rectangle frame around each one.

I can see these figures used in RPGs and wargames. As the miniatures do not have distinct backs, it might be necessary to mark the bases to indicate front facing, depending on use. It would have been nice to have a sheet with one each of the normal-sized figures (e.g. one javelineer, one hoplite, one of each hero...) as an ink-saving option for those who want to use the figures as individual characters in a game.

This is a great set for the creation of dungeon environments with modular pieces. The textures look great when printed and are consistent with each other.

I would like to stress the fact that the pieces are easy to build. Seriously, each pillar or wall section takes only a couple of minutes to cut and fold. I enjoyed cutting the pieces and building some test rooms to see how they fit together, and the results look good. The assembly system for the pillars and walls is simple and the built-in tolerances mean that you do not have to be super precise when cutting. All pieces can be stored flat, which means that they do not have to take a lot of space when not in use. Just be sure of printing in thick cardstock, so that your pieces can endure the folding and unfolding.

It is possible to use this set to build completely flat maps, using the provided tiles and connectors. Since the connectors are used to create passages between rooms, you do not need a lot of different versions. Need an L-shaped corridor? Use two straight sections linked with an elbow connector. Going up one step, it is possible to add some stand-alone doors to mark passageways, common doors and gates. Once again, the slottable doors allow variation without having to build lots of pieces. To fully utilize the set, one can build pillars and walls to have a completely three-dimensional dungeon model.

I hope that expansions are added to this product line, including different types of stairs, dungeon props and different wall and floor textures.

What you see is what you get: lots of starship counters and a multi-page hex map. Great to try out many starship battle games. Note that the counters show only the starship silhouettes. Although they look good and are varied, some might be put off by this.

I have read concise rule sets but this one takes it too far. The main text reads like a quick reference chart and the actual reference charts are cryptic.

There are few examples on the book and just three pictures, to try to elucidate the concept of "postures" in the game. The fact that the terms "stand" and "unit" are mixed in the text does not help in the least, either.

The rules seem to have an interesting activation or command system where each unit (or is it a stand?) may have its performance affected and even trigger some random events but I cannot even playtest them while I do not fully understand the game rules.

In my opinion, this product feels like it was written by someone very familiar with micro-scale wargaming -- so much that the author takes too many concepts and definitions for granted, or assumes some gaming conventions implicitly.

A great set of paper miniatures in manga/anime style and three color schemes. The colors and contrast make them print great even at reduced scales.

Besides the obvious uses for RPGs, some of the poses would be great to build multi-figure stands of archers, crossbowmen, swordsmen etc. for large-scale wargames. I intend to use them as warbands for some skirmish games.

Some might not like the anime style but then, that is a matter of opinion about the art style... The other point some people might dislike is that the figures have mirrored backs but given that:

a) ALL of the poses are facing a definite direction, not looking forward, so you can still define the figure's facing if you have to;
b) poses are very dynamic;
c) and the price for the set is a real bargain,

I really cannot convince myself to rate it at lower than full five stars and I do hope that Battle! Studios continues to make more and more sets with these features.

This is a great model. Easy to build with 2D and 3D options, looks good and has a low price. I've had no trouble building it at both regular (28mm) scale and at 50% size to use with 15mm minis. I hope that more vehicles in the same build style are added to this product line.

This set contains modern soldiers in varied poses, most of them carrying an assault rifle, although there are also a sniper, a soldier with a rocket launcher and one big guy carrying a machine gun. Some of them are in desert camo (like the one in the product image) while others use a jungle camo outfit. Besides the grunts, there are a medic and a sergeant -- however, the medic comes only in desert camo and the sergeant only in jungle camo... There are also a few other figures, including a sailor, paratrooper and officer, all of which seem to me a lot more like WWII than modern uniforms, and a soldier in a gray outfit and red beret marked as paramilitary. Figure scale is "true 25mm," with figures measuring around 23mm from feet to eye level. Poses and facial expressions are good, and the lighting adds volume to the figures.

I'm giving this four stars because it would be great to have all soldiers in both camo outfits (or even in a single outfit.) As it is, the jungle camo soldiers don't have a medic and the desert camo ones (which in my opinion look better) don't have support weapons or a sergeant.

Brutes is a simple set of miniature skirmish rules. The system is similar to the one used in New World Disorder, also from Precis Intermedia. However, in this case the focus is on small parties of the Brutes, which are various fighters with different abilities and equipment. Personally, I like the action system used in this game as it allows a variety of actions apart from moving and shooting (or fighting in close combat.)